Two Central seniors receive guaranteed placement to military academies

In a unique turn of events, two Aberdeen Central seniors received principal nominations to U.S. military academies.

The nominations were secured by U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., who recognized Ethan Fergel for his principal nomination to West Point and Dustin Hermansen for his principal nomination to the Air Force Academy.

The announcement came as a surprise to both students who were in class together Wednesday morning -- a class taught by Hermansen's dad, Charles, who was also in the dark about the surprise announcement.

South Dakota has 10,000 high school seniors and each U.S. senator has three principal nominations available, which are guaranteed placements to the academy that include a full-ride scholarship and a requirement to serve in the military for five years.

"To have, first of all, just one out of your high school is pretty special, but to have two out of your high school says a whole bunch about not just the Aberdeen community, but about your school, your coaches, about your teachers, and about all of you in the terms of the quality of the education you're receiving to be able to compete like this," Rounds said.

Rounds said to his knowledge, he's not sure that it's happened before where two principal nominees were not only from the same high school but were also in the same classroom.

These two young men aren't just classmates, though. They also grew up together joining the same cub scout troop as youths and continuing that participation through high school where they both reached the rank of eagle scout together.

Both, however, said the announcement took them completely by surprise, and it was made even more special being surrounded by their families who were in the classroom for the announcement, which first recognized Fergel as a West Point nominee.

Fergel said he saw Rounds arrive at the school and was initially curious about what he was doing here, but thought maybe he was a guest speaker in another class. So he set his curiosity aside and went to his chemistry class. That's when Rounds walked in with his entourage. When Rounds started talking about military service, Fergel said, he spotted his mom and started shaking.

"This was an absolute blessing," he said.

Fergel applied for spots at West Point but also the U.S. Air Force. In a reception following the announcement Rounds also told Fergel he received a competitive nomination to the U.S. Air Force. Rounds can award up to nine competitive nominations.

Fergel said he first started thinking about West Point as an option last fall and shortly after that was approached by a recruiter. That's when he started thinking about it as an option. He also got a taste of West Point and what it would be like at a week-long summer leadership experience.

Hermansen said his interest in serving the country came after serving as a page at the U.S. capitol in Washington, D.C. this past summer. Hermansen said up until then, he'd thought about attending the University of South Dakota, but, after getting to know the different people who serve the country in congress, he said, he started researching the academies so he could also serve his country.

As unique as the recognition is, Hermansen said, it was also special to receive it at the same time as Fergel.

"It was very special to get this recognition together," he said.

Like Fergel, Hermansen was in the dark about the nomination, and thought his chances of a nomination were lost when Fergel was called up first. But, Hermansen said, then he saw his family walk into the classroom.

"It was pretty special," he said.

Hermansen is the son of Charles and Jill Hermansen. He's been active in speech and debate, football, Future Business Leaders of America, Student Senate and National Honor Society.

Fergel is the son of Brenda Steiger, Nick Fergel and Todd Loecker. He's a member of the Central track and golf teams, the Aberdeen Cougar hockey team, National Honors Society and Future Business Leaders of America.

Both Hermansen and Fergel also attended Boys State, an annual event organized by the American Legion.

Each military academy has their own admission process, but they evaluate nominees on not only academics, but also physical, mental and moral fitness.

This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: Two Central seniors receive guaranteed placement to military academies